Enough is enough!

Opposition Leader Mia Mottley today announced plans for a national march of disgust and rally on Saturday, March 11, while calling on Barbadians to come out and register their dissatisfaction with the Freundel Stuart Government.

During an 11 a.m. press conference at the her office in Parliament building, Mottley was particularly harsh in her criticisms of the Prime Minister, charging that he had chosen to jet off to New York for a Democratic Labour Party cocktail sip at what is considered one of the worse times for the country.

Mottley also accused Mr Stuart of gross incompetence and negligence over his handling of the bitter public fallout between Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler and the Governor of the Central Bank Dr DeLisle Worrell, saying he has proven himself unfit for the office of Prime Minister.

However, she has seemingly resigned herself to the fact that Stuart is not in any hurry to call elections and has therefore called for immediate focus on remedying the island’s ailing economy.

Following is the full text of Mottley’s written statement to the Press.

Opposition Leader Mia Mottley

“For the first time in my almost 30 years in public life, I must confess to being at a loss for words. I am truly stumped!

No way could I have imagined as callous and as indifferent a response to the state of the social and economic affairs in Barbados today as that of the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, speaking to Barbadians from a Democratic Labour Party event in New York.

That the Prime Minister could have gone ahead with that trip to an anniversary Cocktail Sip for the DLP in the US, in the first place, under these circumstances, is mind boggling. No previous leader of Barbados that I know would have absconded himself from a scenario where doubt hangs over the ability of the country to pay public servants in the next week.

The issue involving the declaration of war between the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central bank, transcends consideration of jurisdictional authority. It goes to the heart of answering the question whether Government will be able to come up with the money to meet its end of month commitments without the Central Bank printing money and buying Government securities.

Therefore, it is preposterous, for the Leader of this country to say to the nation, from the sidelines of this political party event in New York, that he has not bestirred himself to get involved in the matter.

To have said in New York that he has not made himself conversant with the circumstances concerning the attempt to terminate the employment of the Governor of the Central Bank prematurely speaks volumes about Mr. Stuart’s approach to the management of the affairs of this country. It speaks to a Prime Minister entirely disconnected from and unconcerned with the affairs of State and presiding over a dysfunctional Government.

All Barbadians are, by now, aware that the Minister of Finance, Mr. Sinckler, communicated to the Governor that he should go from the Central Bank voluntarily or be sent. It is beyond belief that Mr. Sinckler would have taken such a monumental and far reaching step without first conferring with the Prime Minister and explaining the necessity for the decision. Termination of the employment of the Governor of the Central Bank is no small matter. It is a matter of the highest national importance.

If Sinckler did not communicate with Stuart, then Sinckler should be fired.

But if, as I believe, he did discuss the matter with Stuart, the Prime Minister is plainly attempting to delude and deceive Barbadians by stating that he has not made himself “privy to all that has been happening.”

From the time the story broke two weeks ago, the Prime Minister was under a duty to make himself “privy”. His abdication of the duty to inform himself about the matter is nothing short of gross incompetence and recklessness. Worst of all, he is hanging Sinckler out to dry.

And to crown Mr. Stuart’s trifling of serious matters is his statement that this matter started with the Governor of the Central Bank and not the Minister of Finance. That is absolute nonsense on stilts masquerading as a smart use of language. It was Sinckler who originated the decision to terminate the Governor. Stuart had to be “aware” of that surely, as is the rest of Barbados!

This country can no longer put up with Mr. Stuart’s absurd pretences. The Prime Minister of Barbados has once again given incontrovertible proof that he is thoroughly unfit to continue political leadership of Barbados. This is the same Prime Minister who never admitted to Parliament or the public that he had signed the Cahill MOU 6 months before it went to Cabinet or his Ministers signed. This is the same Prime Minister who said he would never send home public servants nor would his Government charge students fees at the UWI.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has now abdicated all rights to be left alone to sort out and find solutions to the problems besetting Barbados. Not even the long mooted bail out of our debt with a loan from the Chinese will have any resonance in an environment where there is a total loss of confidence in the Government’s policies and personalities.

The Prime Minister is clearly indifferent to the gravity of the crises confronting this country. The time has come, we believe, for Barbadians from all walks of life to be given an opportunity to register their disgust at the state of affairs in this country.

The Barbados Labour Party has for the past three years warned and beseeched the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to stop and take stock of the deteriorating economy and state of fiscal affairs in this country. Downgrade after downgrade has been rubbished by the Prime Minister. And the Minister of Finance continued to paint an artificial image of promise and recovery, when it was clear for all to sense, and to see, that the situation was getting worse and headed to intensive care.

Now that the Governor of the Central Bank has finally broken free of Ministerial allegiance and dictate and is telling it like it is, the Prime Minister would have us believe that this is all a side show and that his flying up to New York to speak to his party faithful at that cocktail sip, is of greater importance. Is this what leadership of Barbados has been reduced to?

Of the 275 000 Barbadians, Freundel Stuart is the only person not perplexed or anxious about the ramifications of the ongoing dispute between the Minister and the Governor. Fortunately, from what has been whispered and also insinuated from other senior members of Cabinet, it appears that in terms of this callous indifference to the issue, Freundel stands alone!

The Barbados Labour Party contends that it is now time for Barbadians to be given an opportunity to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with this state of affairs in Barbados.

National March of Disgust and Rally

The Parliamentary Opposition will be leading a National March of Disgust and Rally thereafter to protest the situation where Barbados finds itself 50 years after Independence.

We will be marching on the afternoon of Saturday, 11th March, 2017. We call upon all civic minded Barbadians to join with us in sending a message to Freundel Stuart and his Cabinet that their style of governance is not cute.

But above all else, Barbados cannot bear the weight of the indifference and the incompetence of Freundel Stuart and his Cabinet for another 12 months.

As several other commentators have said over the last two weeks, including some of their own, this crisis situation is bigger than each of us. We are therefore, determined that no one, not even the titular leader of this country, must be allowed to stand in the way of the urgent need to stop the haemorrhaging, stabilize the country and put us back on the proper path to recovery. The will of the Barbadian people may ne delayed but never denied!
The National March of Disgust and the Rally thereafter, I forewarn the country, is but the first salvo by the Barbados Labour Party to let it be known that “Enough is Enough”.

We will not sit silently and permit the wholesale destruction of Barbados simply to allow a Government to limp its way to the constitutionally stipulated finish line. This is not about finishing the 5 years given to a Government. This must be about stopping the rot and re-energizing Barbados for Barbadians.

This must be about giving Barbados and Barbadians a chance.

I thank you. ”

(ends)

87 Responses to Enough is enough!

Ever since DEM came to office, I nicknamed Chris Sinkler Minister of blame the last government. EVERY TIME he spoke, he blamed the last government. Now Coralita, Rosalita who claimes to be Miss undecided is asking the most foolish question of Ms. Mottley. If this Government is changed she will see the most amazing list of investors just waiting to come in and invest.

Miss. Undecided asked some of the most stupid questions any person with half of brain could ask any one that`s living in barbados. Why have she not asked the PM how is she going to get out of all this Sssssst. Later a caller said that to give the party a break that they doing their best, today is 9 years that they were doing their best and the result gets worse and worst year after year, so its about time to do what Sinckler wants to to the Governor of the CB.

That is not correct, Miss undecided did ask Miss Mottley what were their plans to grow the economy and how they were going to tackle the unemployment levels. She was very specific in her questions. What were u listening to?

@Mia, the walk is fine with me but you know bajans dont like to be seen in these things because they are scared for what will happen if they are seen by some people and lots of bajans suffer with foot and other problems. I think a public meeting some where like the car park or by the Public building even the Esplanade where people could bring their chairs would been great, that`s my opinion.

We gotta do whatever it takes to make Bdos “great again” the BLP did it in 1994 and I am confident they can do it again, it may take sometime, but with perseverance it can, and will be accomplished! March everyday if we have to.

The march didn’t prove anything last time and it won’t this time either, and for shutting the country down, only u and your family will suffer not the politicians. Good luck to all of u who march but i am not going out in hot sun or rain for nothing.

It is totally inexcusable for a Prime Minister to be MIA (no pun intended) from duty with respect to such a grave matter that besets our nation. The firing of a Central Bank Governor without the approval and/or knowledge of the PM, is tantamount to the first mate of a ship putting the ship’s engineer in chains for some perceived incompetence without the captain’s knowledge of such. I daresay that it is impossible for a Finance Minister to take such a gargantuan action without consulting the Prime Minister. Mr Stewart cannot say or do anything to convince any sensible person that he was not privy to this action. His inaction in this matter has further shown up his incompetence for the job he holds. It’s not just the Minister of Finance nor the Central Bank Governor, but he too should do the decent thing and resign.

Having listened to the entire news conference, I am even more certain that Mia is best suited to be the Prime Minister of Barbados; hopefully this will happen sooner rather than later.
May God continue to bless you Mia and may God bless Barbados.

PM Stuart is about the lavish lifestyle of first class trips, cocktail receptions and occasionally speaking in latin to his fellow ancient colleagues in Rome’s historic citadel. What I would like is for us to now take a more serious look at corruption and ensure we do everything in our power to hold any person accountable for any trespasses with the public purse.

The lowly citizens who employ these politicians must ger involved. Make your voices heard.. .it works…gov of central. bank asked to resign by Minister of finance Then minister says he trust said Governor. Wth…

You know the SSS have very little regard for you, but when you right you right. The Prime Minister has shown repeatedly that he is a narcist and doan carish high minded Johnny Postle. I really hope that when you march you get the support of all Barbados because this man cares only for what Freundel Stuart cares about. That is why the island in a mess, we have no leadership.

So much emotionalism does not add up to a hill of beans.So what did Mia say that she has not said before. Having all talk but having no evidence of corrective action is a meaningless hot boiling pot of stale stew
We are where we are because of bad policies which collided with mitigating factors in a global economy going as far back as 2005 policies which in part where implemented under an administration of which Mia was a minister
Unfortunately present govt restraint from using hard measures as a cooling off period only has worked as prescribed and dispensed
Unfortunately debt does not dry up or disappear it remains like a hangman noose which if not tackled does not forgive or forget

Running a press release word for word is not journalism. Where is the added value that differentiates journalism from the distribution of a press release.
Barbados Today must improve its journalism and urgently. It is very poor. Barbadians deserve better.

All them marches does not add up to a hill of beans sounding more like left over stale soup drizzled on white rice.The economy is looking for action with solvable solutions none of which Mia has prescribed

sticks and stones: you are clueless about marches because its not a bajan thing. Six thousand plus workers were sent home, marches were called and only 100 turned out. Today makes 9 years that the Dems were given the power to run the country, why have you not asked the PM where is the solutions. Under his leadership the economy is growing like a cow tail, down.

BARBADOS had “Enough” Marches. One more just ain’t gonna do it. It must be a “week long shut-down” of the Island. Then the powers that be will understand we mean business. Until then , we just spinning top in mud and waiting for the bell to ring on Election time.
IT’S MY HARD EARN BDS $$$ I TRYING TO PROTECT FROM BEING DEVALUED.

This is going to be another flop like the other marches, rubbing shoulders, town-hall meetings and the current walk-about in the constituencies. The woman wouldn’t learn. She had a walk-about in my constituency last week and the reception in the areas was as cold as the nights we have been experiencing recently. Cuss Stuart and Sinckler as much as you like, the Bajan public not going mad after Mia as an alternative. How unfortunate!!

This is why I have an issue with the two main political parties in Barbados. Firstly, (an strictly my opinion here) All of these guys seem to have the same script, any issue arises, they will hoot and holler loudly and then make bold statements about the other party. Thereby keeping with that passive aggressive behavior that Barbadians are known for. Once again in my opinion they treat the citizens like a high school group of kids, where they can score brownie points against one another.
Secondly, they never seem to have or highlight what their plans are to put the country on a stable and prosperous tract toward productivity( lack of ideas)
Thirdly, we must all realize that there folks might portrait to the public that they have an adversarial relationship with the other party, but don’t be fooled especially in a small country like Barbados these folks are well known to one another and are friends.
So as much as she would want it to seem that she upset at the way things are going, she never seems to bring forward any ideas. We know the current party is messing up big time but what are your ideas to help fix the country, that’s what I want to hear from you and not about you throwing tantrums every chance you get. Treat the citizens like they have enough sense to make the correct decision in the voting booth, by coming to the table with ideas and solutions.
They are all using the same old tactics, I for one will not be fooled or partake in their games. The situation has become so dire in Barbados that lives are at stake. Since you would like the whole country to vote for your party come next election, tell us what corrective course of action you have to restore the country to viability.

This is nothing more than a part of a campaign on the eve of impending elections for the sole purpose to win votes. This march will be an exercise in futility. It would not remove the economic challenges confronting the Country. People lives are not going to be enhanced by marching. Tell the people of Barbados what corrective action the BLP intend to take to deal with the economic issues confronting Barbados. That is what people want to hear. Will a BLP government take back those government workers sent home? Will the BLP reverse some of the policies of the DLP?

she is funnier than Trevor Eastman and Paul Keens-Douglas rolled into one. The opposition party trying to tell the Govt. when to call the elections in 2017. Very funny indeed.

However we must bear in mind that the Barbados Labour Party was calling for general elections from the day after elections on 21st Feb. 2013. So this call is nothing new, nothing unexpected. The Barbados Labour Party is in full elections mode.which they cant sustain for very long, so the Hon. Prime Minister saying over the weekend that elections will be called when constitutionally due has let the air out of their balloon. They showed their hand too early.

On Sat. 17th Feb. 2017 at 11.45 A.M. , the CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association RUDY GRANT was leading a Barbados Labour party campaign Team in St. Michael Central begging for votes for Arthur Holder of the Barbados Labour Party. Figure that one out.

Carson C Cadogan, I challenge you to come up with a business that can possibly turn around this situation in Barbados. All you do is sing DEM praises. Get real man. Forget all your family who working with DEM Come up with something man. Stay put if you can’t suggest something positive. You brain dead.

I read a few comments about this Carson C Cadogan and I now had the privilege to read your comment, you said that Mia should do stand-up comedy, at least she can talk and people understands and when you man do talk people, can`t follow. What profession would recommend for him after 9 years of running the country into the ground. Even one of the strongest of supporters of the Dems spoke her mind on radio a few days ago, because her conscience woke her out of her slumber and you seem to be brain dead.

One comment last week that made me laugh when Holder walked through by me , was “” Is this the same red man wid the long hair that run last time? Steuppppppsssseeese”. The Rastas in my constituency don’t take him seriously as a true brother. Mia is going to hand this Government back to Freundel. Mark my word. lol

This country is replete with hypocrites. That is why you should never compromise your integrity. When the rubber meets the road you are then thrown under the bus. We should tell people the truth or say nothing instead of practicing sycophancy. Two many of us do other persons bidding instead of being honest and think for ourselves. We have almost become like parrots regurgitating what our masters say.
Next thing, politicians offering the electorate false hope, just playing to the gallery instead of calling a spade a spade.
I have become very disenchanted with politics and politicians. Only hoping that someone will have the intestinal fortitude to come forward and revolutionize this small island of ours.
All I wish for is honesty going forward. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Not playing to the gallery.
Stop the feel good mentality. When we all look in the mirror we should like what we see.
All I want is good governance whether it be B, D or C. I also want all those persons who have allegedly raped and continue to rape this country of its limited finances and who helped to have us in this perilous state that they be brought to justice and made to repay every cent if found guilty. This is my gut feeling. Peter should not be paying for Paul while continuing with their ostentatious lifestyles.

Tell me something Mia. You ever heard the name Winston Cox? Do you remember that he was the Governor of the Central Bank? Do you remember who fired him? Were you a member of the Cabinet when he was fired? Did you march when he was fired? Why are you marching now that another Governor has been fired? Do you feel that Bajans are stupid? Do you now know why your march on Saturday 11th will be a failure? Let us know if you were converted on the Road to Damascus from Saul to Paul. Saul went blind for 3 days before the conversion. Why has it taken you 23 years to see the light?

@Loretta – sorry to say, but that is how it will be and nothing else. Funny you said regurgitating what our masters say” but who is the masters? the politicians? Until we see the light (truth) then we in the Barbados (and Caribbean) will remain in gross darkness. These people have become PRO players and seducers of the masses.

@Joan W – Sadly the majority (Very Few is out) of the people in Barbados is like Saul.

All of this debate about people looking for votes,and about this and that. I have one question. Can everybody in Barbados honestly say that they are comfortable with how the Government is running this country? Yes or No?

The politicians are led to believe they are our masters instead of the other way around. This applies to all the political parties.
As I have said before they should stop playing with the emotions of the electorate.
Instead of sounding like a stuck record, all I want is for someone to present them self who will put country before self and do what is in the interest of Barbados.
Enough said!

As I said it will be nothing else. The masters are not the politicians, it is the puppeteers who say to them jump and they say how high. Cooning and smiling sweetly from ear to ear. These in-grafted politicians can do no better. So unless you are on the end of the puppeteers we will continue to be the seducers of the puppets. Term in and term out with these people. jumping from DBDBDBDBDBD never ending cycle of BS. When you are ENGINEERED to act and think in particular way you can never change. Watch and see, 8yrs from now.

Had not for marches by our ancestors, we would still be laughing in barrels, can’t enter so called white own stores, lynched, boiled in oil, beheaded and burned in the streets while the so called whites gather around to take pictures. Marching does work, it’s the numbers that counts. Most people miss the point of a march and those are the ones who are scared of being seen. A coward dies a thousand times, a soldier dies but once.

The current DLP government is undoubtedly incapable of handing the economic affairs of Barbados and anyone who doubts that is either dishonest or naive. Those persons who choose to blame the BLP for the missteps of the DLP i find you absolutely incredible.

Can’t recall the number of marches in which Mia has taken part since 2013 . However the one on 11th is going to be a march with a difference. It will end in a rally with free food, drink and wuk-up music. She could really behave herself , knowing that the Lenten Season begins on Wednesday 8th March. lol

@FRank – Sorry dear, these marches was all by design too. Do you know what MLK said before he was assassinated “he felt he had led his people into a burning house”. This is what you get for wanting to be integrated with a people who do not want you. What we should have done is to stop being cowards and do like WHAT MOSES SAID an eye for an eye. What we should have done is to LEARN HARMONY , GET OUR OWN STORES, EDUCATION SYSTEM (not theirs) BUSES, TRAINS, PLANES, SUPERMARKETS ETC (taking time of course) and we would have been a FORCE to recon with. Instead we are now still carrying their food on our backs and eating crumbs from under their BIG table and sadly still stuck in the barrels, and this is why we have to march. CHA. By the time we own a corporation they will be doing moon travels. Watch the Vernon Johns story and see carefully who was the HINDRANCE and it is still a hindrance to this day. We have not gone one foot since back then.

@Lorenzo – you can believe me or not it will change nothing. I have never been or will ever be affiliated with a political party. Go ahead and march all you want and you will do it again and again and again, until you do like me and WAKE UP from that DEEP SLEEP OF YOURS. These are pharaohs or Dobermans trained and grafted in to protect their masters person and property.

You think that politicians put country before party ??? you got that right, until they get in and then put themselves before country and party too. Sucking up and cooning and looking out for the oppressor.

Lorenzo Johnson you don’t mean this unintelligent old lady. We should all put Country before self.
I don’t care whether you are B, D or C. My interest is in my country. I do not have dual nationality. My loyalty is to BARBADOS first and foremost. Not politicians.

@L King – Look at the history of what these c’s did and see why i use it. And YOU make no MISTAKE I love my black people. But you all wasting time. If it walks like a duck and quack like a duck then it is a duck. How you think we in this MAJORITY POOR position. WHEN WE SHOULD BE IN POLE POSITION. Only ALL we politicians did this. Stop sleeping in your coma and get real.

Ingrunts is not bliss. Who in Broad street???? Who in Swan Street???? then look at who in the Pi$$y ally in Suttle street and run down Baxter road with the RATS, SUFFERING. Who do it so the BEE AND DEM. Wait until they privatize u will surely reap HELL.

i wonder why the latest poll by Mr. Pollster has not been published? Do you know that Mia trails Freundel islandwide as next P.M ? 37% favour Freundel, 34 favour Mia, 10% favour Grenville Phillips, 10 % undecided and 9% say that they will not vote. However Dale Marshall fears better against Richard Sealy as possible alternatives. Dale won the favour of 45% to Richard’s 43%. Mr. Pollster is too ashamed to publish this data. Is this why he is urging Mia to get out there on Saturday 11th and march march march. Listen to his voice on the call-in-program. It is one of disappointment and desperation.

Just one question.
Why are’nt the Unions not getting involved on behalf of the workers.
The Prome Minister and all the other ministers and Goveenment members of Parliamemt have given themselves raises in salary while civil servants have not had a raise in years people are not receiving their pensions and others are loosing their jobs.

@Jennifer – What!? You proud of word that is so evil you proud of it. My good Lord help you. The word in Acts 13 vs 1 is different and a latin name for black. But N word used AGAINST a black person was created and used to dehumanize and insult the black race for existing.

You make some good points in your post but then at the same time you communicate like you’ve just had sense kicked out of you.

Search in Archive

Select a MonthSelect a CategorySearch with Google

Barbados Today

Our mission is to keep you informed. Do you have news, know of an event or a personality deserving of coverage? Contact us today! Nothing or no one is too big or too small for us at Barbados Today to highlight. You can also take your own good quality photographs of community events and drop us a note with the details.